Starship News

oosik · Jun 28, 2024

As you can see - I'm not well versed in this new technology. Carp - got the Taco Wagon( 2018 Ram 2500 HD Power Wagon) in Dec 2018 and still trying to figure out all dashboard technology. One of these day I may have it all figured out. Don't hold your breath.

IXLR8 · Jul 13, 2024

Superheavy Booster for flight 5 has been moved to the launch pad. Musk posted on July 5th that Starship flight 5 would launch in four weeks. Still talking about a possible "catch" of the booster landing back at the launch site.

IXLR8 · Jul 18, 2024

A few days ago, the super heavy booster for flight 5 was fired up for a full duration full throttle test fire in prep for it's launch. The guess is for a launch around 2-Aug. Pics of test fire show that Starship has not been put on the booster yet.

IXLR8 · Jul 27, 2024

All the heat shield tiles have been replaced on the Starship. They are now preparing to move Starship to the new test fire site in preparation for a test fire of Starships engines before mounting it on the booster.
Next launch may be delayed due to FAA licensing due to Musk wanting to land the booster back at the launch site. Any changes to the flight path need to be reviewed and a new license issued.

IXLR8 · Jul 29, 2024

Starship was moved to the test fire site and the engines were successfully test fired.
The speculation now is the launch has been delayed to the end of August, I didn't see a clear reason why.

IXLR8 · Aug 16, 2024

Saw an article that indicated Starship launch 5 was now pushed out to September. This note was all I saw for an explanation as to why. I guess getting approval to 'catch' the returning booster is taking a while to get approved.

"Flight 5 Starship and Super Heavy are ready to fly, pending regulatory approval," the company said via X on Thursday afternoon (Aug. 8). "Additional booster catch testing and Flight 6 vehicle testing is planned while waiting for clearance to fly."

IXLR8 · Sep 14, 2024

SpaceX has been working on the catch arms on tower A. They did some test 'catches' and have been busy making modifications based on the results. All the man lifts have been removed so it looks like they are done.
I just saw a report that the FAA is holding up next flight approval due to environmental concerns. It seems some environmental groups are complaining about the 'waste' water being used in the deluge system and it's effects on the environment. FAA sent note to SpaceX that it probably would not approve next flight until sometime in November!!???
No wonder Elon is complaining about regulations/red tape.

otlski · Sep 14, 2024

IXLR8 said:
SpaceX has been working on the catch arms on tower A. They did some test 'catches' and have been busy making modifications based on the results. All the man lifts have been removed so it looks like they are done.
I just saw a report that the FAA is holding up next flight approval due to environmental concerns. It seems some environmental groups are complaining about the 'waste' water being used in the deluge system and it's effects on the environment. FAA sent note to SpaceX that it probably would not approve next flight until sometime in November!!???
No wonder Elon is complaining about regulations/red tape.

Musk finds himself on the wrong side of the current cabinet appointees. The timing was supposed to be September but is pushed off until late November curiously.

IXLR8 · Sep 15, 2024

otlski said:
Musk finds himself on the wrong side of the current cabinet appointees. The timing was supposed to be September but is pushed off until late November curiously.

And curiously, early November is when Blue Origin is supposed to make their flight.

ArlyA · Sep 15, 2024

Will they fly up above our flat table earth?? Then float back down.

Science is so confusing.

IXLR8 · Oct 9, 2024

And the confusion for Launch 5 continues.
- FAA publishes Notice to Airman of Starship 5 launch between Oct 12-18
- FAA publishes Notice to Mariners of Starship 5 launch between Oct 13-19
- FAA reiterates they will not issue Starship 5 launch license until late November
- SpaceX makes a comment that NASA could approve the launch and bypass the FAA

Activity at the launch site suggests that SpaceX is working to get Starship 5 ready to launch sometime next week.

Now is everything clear as mud as to what is going on??

IXLR8 · Oct 10, 2024

Hmmmm, a little more mud!!
SpaceX has announced that they are shooting for the launch of Starship 5 on Oct 13th at 0700 CT.... Pending FAA approval.
Reports are that NASA has approved the Oct 13th launch date but it is unclear if SpaceX will accept NASA's approval or if they are going to wait for the FAA approval. There was a comment that NASA is pressuring the FAA to approve the Oct 13 launch date. There was also a comment that after SpaceX announced the launch date, the FAA was asked about the end of November launch approval date and the FAA was "no comment".
SpaceX is ready for flight 5, Federal bureaucracy not so much.

IXLR8 · Oct 12, 2024

Just saw a posting that the FAA has approved Starship 5 launch.
Present launch window is Sunday morning, 13-Oct, 08:00-08:30 EDT.

sd455dan · Oct 13, 2024

It may be not happen, but sure looks like if it is at all possible SpaceX will launch Starship in less than 7 hours.

Live feed from NSF a YT channel ( NASA Space Flight).

They have a predicted count down clock in the left top corner of the live feed.

Set my alarm, Also read another group has filed suit against SpaceX over the water discharge, not sure if a Court ordered stay will stop the launch or if the FAA actually has given approval either.

Clear as Mud.

IXLR8 · Oct 13, 2024

Successful launch at 08:30 EDT, AND successful catch of the booster back at the tower!!!

ponytug · Oct 13, 2024

I thought that the videos of catch are pretty amazing. I expected to see some flex in the tower, and didn't see any.

That's certainly a win for SpaceX.

All the best,

Peter

sd455dan · Oct 13, 2024

ponytug said:
I thought that the videos of catch are pretty amazing. I expected to see some flex in the tower, and didn't see any.

That's certainly a win for SpaceX.

All the best,

Peter

Hopefully the FAA will give SpaceX breathing room.

Can't wait to see the first reuse of engines and booster as well.

Still need work on Starship itself and find cause of the RUD's when they water land and fix the root cause, so the entire starship program can move forward.

It is telling that SpaceX is building ships faster than the FAA seems to be able to approve a flight... The next Starship is already built and hopefully we will see another launch before the end of November.

SpaceX is imo our defacto commercial counter to China's quickly advancing space program.

IXLR8 · Oct 13, 2024

ponytug said:
I thought that the videos of catch are pretty amazing. I expected to see some flex in the tower, and didn't see any.

That's certainly a win for SpaceX.

All the best,

Peter

I saw video's of testing the arms with water bags, lots of flex with the bags filled. I forgot how many tons the full bags provided for the test. I was expecting to see the same flex with the booster catch. Like you, I was looking for, and saw no flex, in the arms or the tower.
All in all I find the ability to return a rocket booster to it's launch site and catch it mid-air to be absolutely amazing!! Especially knowing that the booster has to be in the exact correct rotational alignment so that the two landing pads on the booster line up with the catch arms.